Police have said they have launched an “internal investigation” after social media footage appeared to show officers, driving a patrol car, while waving an Armagh.
The footage was captured in Camlough earlier on Sunday evening, just a few hours after Armagh beat Galway to claim only their second All-Ireland title.
Video clips showed several PSNI vehicles, with sirens and blue flights flashing, doing laps of the roundabout and waving a flag out the window.
Issuing a statement late on Sunday night, District Commander for Newry, Mourne and Down, Superintendent Norman Haslett, said: “We are aware of footage circulating on social media of our officers, driving Police Service of Northern Ireland vehicles, taking part in celebrations following Armagh winning the All-Ireland final.
“We have commenced an internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding this.”
DUP Newry & Armagh MLA William Irwin said the “reckless behaviour of PSNI officers in Camlough on Sunday evening must not be swept under the carpet”.
“The scenes witnessed in Camlough over the weekend have been hugely damaging to confidence in policing within the unionist community in South Armagh and further afield,” said Mr Irwin.
“Police officers have a responsibility under the PSNI Code of Conduct to carry out their duties with impartiality. Displaying a GAA flag from a marked PSNI vehicle represents an obvious breach of that duty. It is bizarre that at the same time PSNI were encouraging those celebrating to drive carefully on social media, their own officers were engaged in reckless manoeuvres in a built-up area.
“Those who argue that this behaviour should be tolerated in the name of ‘craic’ or ‘community relations’ would be the first ones to call out the PSNI if the shoe was on the other foot. We need to see real leadership from the Chief Constable and a public acknowledgement that the actions of officers in this incident fell well below what is expected by his organisation and the wider public.
“These concerns cannot be addressed by an internal PSNI investigation alone. Nor should they be swept under the carpet. The review of policing in South Armagh has quite patently failed to deliver fairer policing for all. That fundamental weakness must now be addressed by Jon Boutcher and his team.”
Meanwhile, Carla Lockhart MP has condemned fans in Lurgan after flags were placed on the police station in the centre of town.
“If you want to celebrate your team winning a competition, then that’s your right to do so,” she said.
“What you do not have a right to do is desecrate a memorial to OUR war dead, or climb unchallenged onto a police station. I also expect the police to act with neutrality and not be seen waving flags from their vehicle.
“I have spoken to the local police commander and expect these matters to be rectified.”
Most read today
Operator’s Licence Notice
